REED COVERED BRIDGEThis bridge was built by Reuben Partridge in 1884 over the Big Darby Creek. In 1963 it was bypassed by a new SR 38 bridge. This bridge collapsed into the creek on August 19, 1993 during talks on its preservation.

BIGELOW COVERED BRIDGEThis bridge, also called the Axe-Handle Bridge, is located over the Little Darby Creek on Axe-Handle Road. Built in 1873 and renovated in 1990, it was named to honor the Bigelow Family.

Union County Bridges

The bridges of Union County have a very special place in my heart. I can remember visiting the Reed Bridge as a child with my father. When I was little I always wondered why this bridge was allowed to deteriorate. The last clear memory I have of a visit to this bridge was in 1989. My father and I took my aunt and a cousin from Wisconsin to see the old bridge. I am not sure if we visited the bridge again before it fell. Needless to say, I was devastated when the Reed Bridge fell into Big Darby Creek. I remember driving the long way to school each morning until the debris was finally removed from the creek.

Many of my friends have similar affections for the Reed Bridge. One of my friends told me once that her dad proposed to her mom at that bridge. So, while it sad that this bridge is lost, I commend Union County for restoring the remaining four Partridge covered bridges in Union County.

Another bridge that I have always admired is the Streng Road Iron Truss Bridge. As a student at Fairbanks High School in the early 1990s I watched as that bridge was beautifully renovated. After I was married in 2003, I found out that this bridge was very significant to my husband's family. My mother-in-law and father-in-law met at the Streng Road Bridge on a blind date picnic in the 1960s. My current home, just over the Union County line in Madison County, is situated just upstream from an iron truss bridge in dire need of repair. This bridge is located on Rosedale-Plain City Road.

In 2004 my father began photographing the remaining four Partridge bridges in Union County. He has taken pictures of these bridges in all four seasons. The project became a three generation project when my daughter began taking pictures of the bridges in the spring of 2007. It is my hope to someday soon feature their pictures on this website.

- Rebekah Headings fall of 2007

CULBERSON COVERED BRIDGEThis bridge was originally located near Howe which was on present-day State Route 36 about two miles south of Milford Center. It is now on Winget Road over Treacle Creek. It was built in 1868.

POTTERSBURG COVERED BRIDGEOriginally located on North Lewisburg Road, this bridge was moved to its current location off of Inskeep-Cratty Road in 2006. This bridge was built in 1868.

SPAIN CREEK COVERED BRIDGESpanning 64 feet over Spain Creek, a tributary to Big Darby Creek, the Spain Creek Bridge was built in 1870. It is located in Allen Township in Union County. It was renovated in 1989.

Please click on any of these pictures for more information on that bridge.

STRENG ROAD IRON TRUSS BRIDGEThis bridge spans 200 feet over the Big Darby Creek on Streng Road. It was built in 1914 to replace a bridge that washed out in 1913. Renovated in 1993, it has the distinction of being an Ohio Historic Bridge.

NORTH LEWISBURG ROAD COVERED BRIDGEBuilt between 2006 and 2007, this bridge replaced the Pottersburg Bridge on Morth Lewisburg Road. This bridge was formally dedicated on June 21, 2007.

BUCK RUN ROAD COVERED BRIDGEThe Buck Run Road Bridge was erected to replace an old iron bridge over Big Darby Creek. It was built in 2006. It was dedicated on June 21, 2007 as a part of the new Big Darby Plains Scenic Byway.